Industrial Huntington, located along the Ohio River, is a transport center for traffic between Ohio, the Great Lakes, Kentucky, and points east of the Appalachians. The diverse industrial base includes chemicals, metal products, and glass and glass products manufacturing. The smaller Ashland, in Kentucky 10 miles downriver, plays a similar role.

The area has a low cost of living but also low incomes. Crime is low. Downtown renewal has brought more life to the area, centered on retail, commercial and entertainment complex known as “Superblock.” The 16,000-student Marshall University brings a strong college presence to the area and a lot of sports interest. The area is isolated by distance and geography from larger cities, but some might find the area a good future bet for those looking for a small-town climate.

Huntington is at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy rivers across from the southern tip of Ohio. The city is located in a flat valley, with rounded, wooded Appalachian foothills rising on all sides. Summers are moderately warm and humid with valley locations considerably warmer and more humid than the hilltops. Winter months are moderately cold, with an occasional severe cold wave lasting a few days.

The four seasons are nearly equal in length and autumn is the most pleasant. The heaviest rainfall occurs in July and August mostly as thunderstorms, and flash floods are common. Winter rainfall occurs mostly with a frontal passage and frequently lasts from 2 to 4 days, possibly causing stream flooding. Snow seldom remains more than 2 days in the valleys, but can linger on hilltops.